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1«— 47372-1 CPO 



AT THE OPENING OP THE CONVENTION. 



OT T^S 



PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH 

OF 

IN PETERSBURG, MAY THE 15tb, 1828, 

SY THE REV. WILLIAM MEAJ)E> 



flTBLISHED BT B£Q,CEST. 



RICHMQNIK- 
PKINTED BY JOHN WARROCi^ 

1828o 



i 



60 






Hebrews, xiiith, 16th. 

To do good and to communicate forget not; for "With such sacrifices 

God is Tvell pleased. 

Once more, dear brethren and friends, we are permitted, by the 
good providence of God, to meet together in annual convention. 

For no worldly purpose, either of business or pleasure, have we left 
our several homes and travelled to this appointed place. We have come 
to consult how best we may promote that portion of the Redeemer's 
kingdom which has been committed to our trust; and also, to pro- 
voke one another and all who have come up with us, to love and good 
works. Let us approach the duty with deep humility, and a trembling 
solicitude that all we say and do, may redound to the glory of God. 

In rising to address you, I follow the old and venerable custom of ta- 
king a few of God's words, as my safe guide and strong authority. Sure- 
ly none more suitable and impressive can be desired than those I have 
chosen. '••To do good and to communinate forget not; for with such 
sacrifices God is well pleased." And is there indeed any thing which 
we poor, sinful, dishonoured creatures, can do, to attract the favour- 
able regard of the great Jehovah ? Is there any one thing we can do of 
which it can be truly said, God is well pleased with it? Are we thus 
raised from our degradation and permitted to share with God the 
divine honor and felicity of doing good ? Does the Almighty allow 
us to be co-workers together v.'ith him in the glorious privilege of dis» 
pensing happiness? Does not tliis appear almost like "giving his glory 
to another ?" Unworthy as we are, my brethren, to receive for our- 
selves the least of God's mercies, yet he is pleased to put upon us 
this high honor, and allow us this exquisite felicity. " God is good 
and doeth good," and we are directed to be "followers of him as 
dear children, and walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself 
for us." When he became Immanuel " God with us" he went about 
doing good, commanding his disciples to follow his steps. Those of us, 
my dear brethren, who are solemnly set apart to the Gospel Ministry, 
are especially required to be " thoroughly furnished unto every good 
work." We must diligently search out the best methods of doing good 
and make it our meat and drink to practice them. 

But all of us, my hearers, are predistinated unto good works, which 
God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Those only are 
the elect and precious in God's sight who are found walking in them.. 
Let me then, iVom the words of my text, speak this day of the duty, 
honor and happiness of doing good. Let me particularly speak of pro- 
moting that best of works, the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom 
by the generous use of that property which we hold as stewards of 
God. And then let me point out to the members of our Church, that 
institution which calls most loudly hr our prompt and liberal supporto 



The will of God on this subject is written in his word, as with a sun- 
beam. "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus." "Let 
not every man attend to his own things only, but every man also to 
the things of others." But alas, however plain the command, and im- 
portant the duty, and delightful the privilege, how many are there, 
and even some bearing the Christian name, who are perfectly disgust- 
ed and nauseated at every proposition of the kind. "To mend the 
world's, a vast design," says some sceptic or luke-warm Christian ia 
derision of any plan proposed for the benefit of the human race.— 

" 'Twere well would you permit the world to live. 
As the world pleases. What's the world to you ?'* 

says some selfish, penurious, hard hearted man, to those warm and 
affectionate disciples of Christ, who mourning over the crimes and 
miseries of men, would humbly co-operate with God in meliorating 
the condition of our fallen race. But blessed be God, there are those 
who to the taunting question "what's the world to you?" have replied 
in the words of one who felt in every fibre of his soul for the woes 
of man. 

** Much, r was born of woman and drew milk, 

As sweet as charity from human breasts ; 

How then should I and any man that lives. 

Be strangers to each other. Can I rest, 

A silent witness of the headlong rage, 

Or heedless folly by which thousands die. 

Bone of my bone and kindred souls to mine.'* 

This generous feeling is a part of that law written on the hearts of 
men which nothing has been able totally to erase. In every age therd 
have been wise men who taught and good men who practised the duty 
of doing good and taking delight therein. One of the ancients, has left 
a sentiment on this subject, worth whole volumes of ** philosophy 
falsely so called." It was to this effect: "He only who does good, really 
lives; all others merely exist, not fulfilling the end of their creation." 
Among the old Romans in the better days of their republic, the high- 
est title they could bestow on one whom they wished to honour was 
that of benefactor — a doer of good — and none other was held in such 
reverence. In all ages and countries there have been those who held 
their property and lives as consecrated to the public good, and towards 
such have the hearts of men been drawn out in larger measures of 
love and admiration; for such generous men some have even dared 
die. St. Paul spoke of such when he said "For a righteous man, (that 
is one who is merely just, doing only what is required by law,) scarcely 
will one die; but for a good man, (a generous man, who gives freely 
and delights in acts of kindness,) some would even dare to die." 

We can scarcely think that there is any system of religion or morality 
among men so corrupted as entirely to leave out this virtue. Even the 
Koran of Mahomet artfully adapted as it is to the corrupt propensi- 
ties of human nature, has it thrice recorded that "God loves those who 
love to do good to others." But bearing in mind that I am addressing 
a body of Christian brethren and friends, I must keep to "the law and 
testimony," for if I cannot make out my argument from precept and 
example of holy writ, I ask not your assent in word or deed to ought 



Uiat I shall say; Turmng to the book of God and the history of his people , 
we shall find that this is no modern whim or fancy of the over-righ- 
teous ; not even a new commandment delivered by Christ when he 
completed God's revelation to a lost world, but an old commandment 
which we had from the beginning. Mark well the words of our text. 
"To do good and to communicate forget not?" there was a reference 
to something going before — a previous law. Many of the laws and cus- 
toms received from Moses were now to be done away, but not this. 
This ever had been and ever must be pleasing in the sight of that God 
who is unchangeable in goodness. 

Let us for a moment advert to onfe or two instances of zeal and 
liberality furnished by the history of God's ancient people. 

Scarce had they escaped from Egyptian bondage, when they were 
commanded to erect a place of worship where they might offer up 
their adorations to the true God. The place, though only a move- 
able tabernacle, must be worthy of him who was to manifest his glory 
there. Silver and gold and precious stones, and fine linen and cloth, 
and the best materials of every kind and in greatest abundance were 
required for the various apartments and many uses of the house of God, 
As easily might the Almighty have dropped it down from above, all 
complete and glorious, as he did the manna for their daily food. But 
he choose to put an honour upon his saints, and build it by the free- 
will offerings of his ransomed people. A decree was issued through 
all the tribes, that materials should be furnished, by those whose 
hearts were willing; and what was the result? ''They came, every 
one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whose spirit made him 
willing, and they brought the Lord's offering to the work of the 
tabernacle. The children of Israel brought a willing offering to the 
Lord, every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring. 
And they came to Moses saying, the people bring much more than 
enough; and Moses gave commandment and they caused it to be 
proclaimed throughout all the camp, saying let neither man nor woman 
make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people 
were restrained from bringing, for the stuff they had was sufficient 
for all the work and too much. Now in all this, they acted in a 
manner worthy the people of God, for they stripped themselves of 
their ornaments, poured immense sums of silver and gold and precious 
stones into the treasury, and sent in all kinds of precious materials for 
the work. The very lowest computation as to the amount sent in would 
put to shame even the encreascd and still encreasing liberality of 
modern times. 

Let U3 see another instance of eager and glad contribution at the 
buildin-g of the first great temple at Jerusalem. The Lord commanded 
his servant David to make ready lo build him a mighty temple, whither 
the tribes might go up and worship. David having assembled the 
people together, speaks to the congregation. <^ The v^ork he says is 
great; for the palace is not for man, but for tiie Lord God. He declares 
his earnest desire, and sets an example of princely generosit}^ " I have 
set my affection to the house of my God; I have given to it above 
all that I have prepared for the holy hous5j three thousand t."]fcr!t5 of 



gold and seven thousand talents of refined silver. Who then is willing 
to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord? Then the chief of 
the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel and captains of thou- 
sands and of hundreds with the rulers over the king's work, offered 
willingly and gave for the service of the house, five thousand talents 
of gold and upwards, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand 
of brass, one hundred thousand of iron, and they with whom preci- 
ous stones were found, gave them to the Lord. Then the people 
rejoiced for that they offered willingly, and David the king rejoiced 
with great joy. Listen, my hearers to the humble grateful strains in 
which he pours forth his thanks to God, for granting him and his 
people this privilege. " Now, O God, we thank thee and praise thy glo- 
rious name; but who am I and what is my people that we should be 
able to offer so willingly after this sort? For all things come of thee 
and of thine own have we given thee." 

Let these instances of willing contribution from God's ancient peo- 
ple suffice for them, and let us come down to a still more highly fa- 
voured people. Surely we shall not find Christians less given to love 
and good works? If it was an old commandment from the beginning 
that we love one another; it was a new commandment which enjoined 
us to love one another even as Christ loved us and gave himself for 
us. It became a new commandment by being thus heightened and 
extended, for such love as that of Christ for sinners, was never known 
upon earth before. 

But did Christians obey this new commandment? If any credit is 
to be given to the historians of the first ages of Christianity, whether 
these historians were friends or foes to Christ ; charity was the very 
feature in their character which distinguished them from all other men. 
So active and zealous were they in all labors of love that the enemies 
of Christianity by a slight alteration in their name, called them by a 
word which signified '^useful ones" reproaching them for their busy 
zeal in doing good to others. <^By this indeed did all men know that 
they were disciples." The same mind was in them that was in Christ 
Jesus, for they attended not to their own tilings only, but every man 
also to the things of others. It has been said by an eminent and cour- 
teous defender of Christianity in an answer to an insidious reviler of 
the same, *"That this has ever been the distingiushing characteristic 
of Christians. As soon as the Church was permitted to have perma- 
nent possesions and acquired the protection of the civil power, it exerted 
itself in the erection of hospitals of every kind, institutions these of 
charity and humanity which were forgotten in the laws of Solon and 
Lycurgus, and for even one example of which you will, I believe, in 
vain explore the boasted annals of Pagan Rome." 

" It is inconceivable, says a certain Pagan writer, what unremitting 
diligence these Christians use to succour one another, since they have 
abandoned the true religion and adore a crucified man. Their teach- 
ers have acquired the wonderful art of persuading them that they are 
all brothers, insomuch that their possessions are all given up for the 
general welfare." 

♦Bishop Watson, in answer to Gibbdct, 



So powerful was the effect of this charity, in recommending and 
spreading Christianity, that the Apostate Julian proposed to adop€ 
the same method for the diffusion of Paganism. "Since nothing" hs 
says in a letter to a Pagan priest, "has contributed more to the propa« 
gation of the Christian superstition, than their attention to the poor 
and friendless, let us even exceed them in this way. Let us immedi« 
ately establish hospitals and other assylums for indigence and infirmity 
in every city. For certainly it is no small ground of reproach that we 
should be so glaringly deficient in these things, while these impious 
Galileans cherish and relieve not only the wretched of their own com« 
munion but of ours also." 

By such zeal and generosity did the Almighty choose to spread 
abroad his Gospel; by such has it been supported in each succeeding 
age ; and if it is to be the religion of our globe, as we confidently 
ejq^ect; it must be, by these same means. The zeal of the Lord of 
the Hosts will, indeed, perform this, but it will be done by stirring 
up the zeal of his people. 

We fondly hope that the time of this glorious consummation is 
drawing near, and we ground our hope on the pleasing fact, that the 
zeal and generosity which gave the first great impulse to Christianity 
and sent its sound into all lands, and its words into the ends of the 
world, are now once more in active exercise. Within the last twenty 
or thirty years the hearts of Christians have been stirred up and their 
spirits made willing, and they have brought their free-will offerings 
to the Lord, not in such abundance that thej^must be restrained from 
bringing, yet in such large and encreasing measures, that we may 
cherish the delightful hope that the work, thus begun will not cease 
or languish until all be fulfilled. 

None can deny what all should rejoice to see, that there is a great 
and general movement of hearts and hands in the Christian world. 
The revenues of the Church, though small compared with the wants of 
a ruined world, are large compared with those of other times. Herod 
is troubled at it and all Jerusalem with him. Infidels and luke-warm 
Christians are already exclaiming, why all this waste ; why were not 
these given to the poor; as though lost souls were not the most pitiable 
objects in the universe ; as tho' men were not immortal beings, but mere 
flesh and blood, requiring to be clothed and fed. But who is there that 
has a heart to feel and believes in Jesus Christ, but must rejoice that 
the Bible is now translated into more than an hundred languages, that 
11 hundred missionaries and native converts are preaching and teach- 
ing the everlasting gospel, in chosen stations of the heathen world ; 
that nearly one hundred thousand Pagan children are receiving instruc- 
tion from Christian teachers, that in Christian lands Sunday Schools, 
Tract Societies, Education Societies and Theological Schools are in 
active operation, improving the condition of our own churches, and 
raising up ministers and missionaries to bring in the latter day of God's 
glory upon earth. Who among us, my dear brethren, would consent 
to be idle, to let his gold and his silver rust in his coffers, and sepa» 
rate himself from so blessed a company of honoured co-workers with 
God, who condescends thus to employ them ? Who would choose rather 



8 

to be with the selfish, the penurious, the frigid, the philosophical, the 
cynical deriders of every good work and generous effort ? I trust 
there arc none such in this assembly, or if there be, that God would 
speedily give them better hearts; hearts which can taste the pleasure, 
yea drink deep of the holy luxury of pious beneficence. 

I come my hearers to enlist you into an honorable service, to invite 
you to share with God himself the divine felicity of blessing. mankind. 
Let us each endeavour to find our right place and station ; then la- 
bouring with a " zeal according to knowledge" we may do the most 
good with such means as God has given us. 

The object of my remaining observations, is to recommend to the 
members of the Church in Virginia, one method of doing good, 
which the providence of God seems to point out as having the strong- 
est claims upon us at this time. The institution for which I am about 
to plead, is one to which my hearers are not strangers. You are well 
aware that there is under the care of the Church in this State, a Theo- 
logical Seminary for the due preparation of pious young men for the 
gospel ministry. Let me ask your attention while I endeavour briefly 
to set forth its claims. It may not be amiss to mention in the out set, 
as an argument in its behalf and in evidence of its great importance, 
that so deeply was the want of such an institution felt on our first en- 
trance upon the work of re-organizing the Church in Virginia, that 
this was one of the first measures adopted by our Convention. By 
reference to our Journals it will be seen, that in the year 1815, thir- 
teen years ago, this silbject engaged our serious deliberations, the 
result of which was, the adoption of measures which seemed to pro- 
mise speedy success. In this, the Church of Virginia led the way, 
setting an example to other portions of our Zion, for it was not until 
two years after, that the General Convention determined upon the 
same measure, and at a still later period the diocese of Ohio. We 
have how^ever, to lament a too close resemblance between the Church 
of Virginia and that of Corinth in a certain work of charity. The 
Church of Corinth was indeed forv/ard in its charity to the poor saints 
at Jerusalem, being ready with some collections before all others, so 
that the Apostle boasted of them, and their zeal provoked many to 
the same charity; but something hindered them; the work seemed 
to cease, and the Apostle was grieved and afraid lest he should bc^ 
ashamed of his confident boasting and they be found unprepared. 
Certain it is, that though we set out first, we are now behind others 
in some of the means necessary for the full accomplishment of this 
work. I shall not detail the various hindrances which have retarded 
our progress. Suffice it to say, that, though for some years, our Se- 
minary has been in operation; though our own State, and other 
States, have received no little benefit from it; though it is now in 
more favourable circumstances, than at any previous period, yet 
much must be done and very considerable funds raised, in order to 
give it that rank among similar institutions, which is so important to 
its full effect. 

Towards raising the needful funds I make this incipient effort, 
depending upon the zealous support and wise council of the members 



of this Convention. As to the general importance of such institutions 
I surely need not discourse. That they existed and flourished annong 
God's ancient people, under the title of '<• Schools of the Prophets;" 
that in the first and best ages of the Christian Church, they were the 
nurseries of many of those holy and learned men whom we venerate 
under the name of "the Fathers;" that they are cherished in the 
purest and most zealous Churches of our own times, as the sources 
of our most devoted ministers and missionaries, is surely recommen- 
dation enough to this assembly. I will not suppose that an individual 
present requires one word in vindication of the duty of giving to those 
pious youths, whose hearts God inclines to the ministry, the very best 
literary and theological education. The time indeed, never was in our 
Church, when ignorance was considered no impediment, but rather a 
help to ministerial usefulness. In primitive days, God did, for the 
wisest purposes, choose some plain, unlettered men, to preach the 
Gospel, but then he supplied every defect of education by miraculous 
gifts, teaching them various languages in a moment, and enforcing 
their doctrine by the demonstration of the spirit and of power. They 
had no need to premeditate what they should say, even before kings, 
for it was given them in that hour what they should speak. Plain and 
unlettered youths are now also moved by God's spirit to enter upon 
tljis work, but they must be thoroughly furnished for it, by the more 
gradual process of education. I will not suppose that one member of 
our Church is so mistaken on this subject as to need correction, or 
what is still worse, that one is so insensible to the honor of our Church, 
and the glory of God, as to consent-that all other professions may have 
the highest talents and greatest learning to adorn and recommend 
them, and the glorious religion of Christ, nothing but well meaning 
ignorance and honest intention to defend and enforce it. Such a tri- 
umph to vice and infidelity must not be. Such dishonor must not rest 
upon the Church of God. 

Let me then present this institution to your liberal support, as that 
which is most likely to afford a full and suitable supply of pious and 
well informed ministers. I lay it down as a fact, susceptible of clear- 
est proof, that it is God's will, that such a full and suitable supply be 
furnished to his whole Church, and of course to our portion of it, and 
that we are bound to adopt the measures which Providence shall seem 
to point out as most likely to effect this object. 

In the earlier ages of the world, under the Patriarchal dispensation, 
it would seem that the first born in every family was considered as 
devoted to the Lord. The honor of the Priesthood was a part of that 
birth-right, for despising which, an Esau shed the bitter tears of a too 
late repentance. According to this arrangement, God would never be 
without servants to serve him. 

Lender the dispensation which succeeded, a nev/ arrangement took 
place, one tribe out of tv/elve was set apart for the service of the Lord, 
and an independent support ensured to it. The Leviles were scattered 
throughout the land of Israel, instructed the youth in tlie lav/ of Mo-i 
ses, taught the people in the synagogues, took part in the temple ser- 
vice, and wer-' ■"-- -■-—'" to perform any dutv which wn? required 



10 

for promoting the true worship of God. Thus did God provide 
against the danger of a population outgrowing its priesthood, and the 
means of religious instruction. The tribe of Levi and the house of 
Aaron would always increase in due proportion to all other tribes and 
families. 

When the Christian dispensation took the place of the Jewish, 
though no family or tribe was ordained to this service, yet the will of 
God was again plainly declared by the miraculous gifts of the Holy 
Ghost to great numbers who were ordained to preach the Gospel. 
Great was the company of the preachers; who went into all lands de- 
claring the word of God to the ends of the world. Since that period, 
the Christian church, in the various countries where it has existed, 
has been generally established by public authority, so as to ensure a 
sufficient number of labourers, by the competence provided for their 
support, and the honour attached to their office. 

Here, hovirever, we must pause, and with shame and confusion of 
face, mourn over the corruptions which have gathered around and 
deeply penetrated all these establishments. Here must we blush, to 
think how many, to the foul disgrace of religion, have said " put us 
into the priest's office that we may eat bread," having no higher mo- 
tive. Happily, as we hope and beheve, the Providence of God has 
directed the Christians of these United States into another and better 
method of rearing up and supporting the gospel ministry. Our own 
country is, perhaps, the only country in Christendom, where a religious 
establishment does not operate to draw a numerous priesthood into 
tlie service of the sanctuary. Christian politicians are regarding the 
ecclesiastical condition of this country with deep soliciiude. It is 
looked upon as an experiment before the world, whether religion can 
support itself; whether the voluntary exertions and contributions of 
individuals will sustain those institutions which are necessary for the 
preservation of Christianity. It is indeed an experiment in which 
the honour of religion and the glory of God are most deeply con- 
cerned. Infidels, also, are looking on with other eyes, and other 
hearts, hoping a failure, and ready to exclaim, where is the boasted 
power of the gospel, where is the zeal of the Lord of Hosts to per- 
form the mighty promises of his word ? Where, they hope soon to say, 
is your faith and love, that you are suffering religion to perish f Wliat 
can you do without the unwilling support drav/n by the strong arm of 
authority from sinners and infidels? See how an ignorant population 
is fast outgrowing the Christian ministry! 

We trust that the Christians of our land will awake to a sense of 
ar peculiar condition and act up to the exigency of our case. Some 
of these aids and inducements which lead to the gospel ministry in 
other countries, being withdrawn or very feebly exerted in our own, 
it plainly devolves as a duty upon private Christians, using the means 
which God has given, to furnish every encouragement to piety and 
talents Avhich may draw them into the service of God, This ap- 
pears to ray mind, a most weighty argument in favour of all the Edu- 
cation Societies and Theological Schools in the Christian world, that 
they afford facilities and encouragements to pious youths, inducing 



11 

many to enter the gospel ministr)', who would otherwise never enter. 
Perhaps we may offend the feelings, and contradict the settled opin- 
ions of some pious persons on this subject, when we express our con- 
viction, that in every Christian country many have the requisite quali- 
fications of heart, and very sufficient natural endowments, to be able 
and useful ministers of the gospel, but who never devote themselves 
to it. '^ No doubt (says a truly pious and learned divine of our own 
State) there are hundreds plainly and loudly called to the ministry by 
the voice of Providence, who either from inattention to that voice, or 
mistaking its meaning, are engaged, usefully it may be in secular pur* 
suits, but wlio ought to be employed in the more useful labour of 
calling sinners to repentance, and of guiding and cheering believers 
on iheir way to Heaven."* Now if this be so, that many never en- 
ter the ministry who might have been most useful to the Christian 
churcli, it becomes us carefully to enquire into the cause, see where 
tht; blame lies, and what is the remedy. While we do most solemnly 
protest against the profanation of the sacred office, by urging any to 
enter it except they be moved to it by the good spirit of God, and duly 
prepared in other respects; wliile we do abhor the tiiought of setting 
apart, almost from infancy, one child, and that, perhaps, the least pro- 
mising and least likely to do well in this world, to the gospel ministry, 
as has been done in too many instances in other countries, we must 
yet express our deliberate conviction that Christian parents and minis- 
ters have gone too far into the opposite extreme, and taken too little 
pains to be co-workers together with God in inclining the hearts of our 
youth to this holy occupation. They seem to have forgotten, that 
God in this, as in all other things, works by means, and will bless such 
as are used to direct the thouglits and feelings of hopeful youths into 
this most sacred and honorable of all employments. More especially 
is this the case in our southern country, and our own church, whicJi 
still keeps its eyes too intently and fearfully fixed upon a time, when 
religion was indeed most deeply wounded in the house of her friends 
by the opposite course. We do now, as we ever have done, advocate 
and recommend this institution as tending to remedy this evil, to raise 
and make interesting the ministerial character, to encourage the 
doubting and fearful, to furnish the unfurnished for the work, and to 
offer every encouragement which is needed and can be afforded to 
those who might properly aspire to this office. It is a solemn thing 
my brethren, to resolve upon the dedication of one's self to the Lord's 
service. None hut those whose minds have gone through the fiery 
trial, can know the fears, and misgivings and holy terror of the thing. 
All* the difficulties of the work, and all their unfitness for it, rise up 
in dread and magnified array before the mind ; many have shrunk 
back dismayed, many sunk down in dispair. More especially must 
this be the case with the poor and uneducated, however their hearts 
may burn with love and holy z,eal. Now it must be evident to all, 
that an institution where under suitable instructors, they may have, at. 



* Tlie Ttev. T-r. Mathews of Shepherdstown in sr. ordination sermor. 



12 

little expense to any, and at no expense to the poor, ail the means fof 
removing that unfitness which so distresses them, and seems such a 
barrier to their hopes — and for completely furnishing them for the du-. 
ties they so ardently desire to be engaged in, must be a most desirable 
thing, must prevent many promising youths from abandoning a hope 
pregnant perhaps with salvation to many a lost soul. If I mistake 
not, there are even now under the guardian care of this institution, 
and preparing themselves for future usefulness, those, who but for the 
encouragement and help afforded by our seminary and those societies 
which aid it, might never have surmounted the difficulties which 
opposed their entering on the ministerial office, might have been for- 
ever lost to the Church. 

Having such a seminary in the midst of us, or near to us, attracts 
the attention, engages the affections, elicits the charity, and strength- 
ens the confidence of our people. Just the same effect is produced in 
religion and the Church by local institutions for the education of 
pious youths for the ministry— as in literature, and our land generally, 
by the academies and colleges which are multiplied among us. The 
more the latter are increased, the greater number of well educated 
youth shall we have. Many are the youths sent to schools and col- 
leges convenient and near, who would never be attracted to more dis- 
tant institutions, but remaining in comparative ignorance, be lost to 
their state and country. How many of the youths of Virginia would 
remain uneducated, had we no colleges or academies nearer than 
those of New-England or of Georgia ? So sensibly does a sister deno- 
mination of our own state feel the force of this truth, that though there 
are theological schools in various parts of her widely extended com- 
munion, and as near to us as New-Jersey and Pennsylvania, she is yet 
zealously and successfully engaged in rearing up one in Virginia, and 
her brethren, elsewhere, bid her God speed, and generously contribute 
to the good work. 

Let us then perform this duty to ourselves, and thus have a better 
opportunity of choosing suitable ministers to fill up those vacancies 
which must be ever occuring, and to raise up Churches in those desolate 
places which call for our relief. In times past, even to the very first 
settlement of our country, our supplies have been drawn from various 
and mostly foreign sources. Wehave cause to thank God for many true 
and faithful labourers, who have come over to our help ; but we 
must all feel and acknowledge, that it would be a most unpardonable 
neglect of duty and a forbidden tempting of Providence, to rely always 
on such supplies, and not endeavour to help ourselves. As well might 
we expect the whole heathen world to be converted by missionaries 
from Christian countries, and ever afterwards supplied by the same. 
The utmost that the most zealous advocates for missionary enterprize 
expect, 16, that the first great impulse be given by Christian countries. 
Heathen converts, and schools, and colleges must take up and com- 
plete the work. Nay, we look forward to the time when they may pay 
back a part of the holy debt, and send us some of their burning and 
shining lights, to upbraid our comparative lukewarmness, and stir us 
yp to Our first love. In like manner, if we expect to have our congrc" 



13 

gations well supplied, our main dependence must be, upon such pious 
x^ouths of our own, and other states, whom we shall assist to educate 
in holy principles and sound learning, so as to make them workmen 
vwho need not be ashamed of their work. Is it not most reasonable 
that we should do thus much? and without doing thus much, is it not 
most unreasonable to expect the divine blessing? But I do not stop 
here. I cannot rest satisfied, that our Church merely attends to its 
own things, while there is a divine command to attend to the things 
of others also. Have we hitherto been receiving the ministrations of 
religion from distant friends? have others been rearing up congrega- 
tions for us ? and shall we now sit down in inglorious ease, nor make one 
eflbrt for others, as well as ourselves? Are there no other portions of 
the Church in these United States who rejoice over this institution, and 
would gladly receive young preachers therefrom ? Is not our population ? 
are not those of our communion spreading over the vast regions of the 
south and west? are not our own children and children's children among 
them, and shall we not follow them with the word and with preachers, 
lest they forget the God or forsake the Church of their fathers? 

If we are rightly informed, one society of the Church of Rome is 
annually sending over twenty-five thousand dollars, to disseminate its 
most ruinous perversions of religion througliout our land, and especi- 
ally among the more ignorant population of the west; and shall we 
set calmly by, and see the work of death go on, nor move one inch 
beyond our bounds, to counteract an evil or do a good ? 

But I must not stop even here. I must ask, have we, in Virginia, 
and in neighbouring places, come to the ignoble resolve, that we will 
do nothing for the conversion of the world, a work which we verily 
believe God hath ordained; that we will leave this high honor and 
blessed charity to other states and other Churches? Shall we raise 
up and send not one missionary to the wretched Heathen ? Shall no 
mission ship, fraught with the glad tidings of a Redeemer, ever 
leave a southern port amidst the prayers, and tears and blessings of 
a pious multitude, crowding to the beach to take a last farewell ? 

Shall no Seminary of our own be the nursery of devoted youths 
burning with holy desire to preach the Gospel in a foreign land? Shall 
none of our own children first giving themselves to the Lord, leave 
their home, their country, and their friends, to enter into the service 
of God, to assail the strong holds of Satan, to gather crowns of real 
glory on that field where God himself musters the hosts of war, 
and then dating their epistles on the ruins of the foe, cheer our 
hearts by the accounts of battles fought and victories won? All these 
honors do we give up without a sigh to those who may choose them. 
I feel, my hearers, 7iot a little party spirit, not a petty state prejudice, 
bat an holy ambition that our State and Church should take some 
humble part in this noblest of works. Let us then with warm hearts 
and open hands espouse an institution which may prove no mean in- 
strument in the cause. While the legislature and generous individuals 
are seeking to raise the intellectual character of our State by the en- 
dowment of schools and colleges, let Christians patronise those reli- 
gious institutions which devolve entirely upon private piety and 
::liarity. 



u 

We hear and read many and sad lamentations over the degeneracy 
of our state. 'Tis said, we are fast declining in talent, learning, 
wealth, power, and even in morals and religion. That we are in some 
of these respects, suffering under tlie just judgments of heaven for 
our sins, and the sins of our fathers, and especially for one sin of our 
fore fathers, now our heavy calamity — none can question. That igno- 
rance and iniquity (whether increasing or decreasing) abound, is also 
too melancholy a fact to be denied, and should lead our citizens seri- 
ously and fearfully to enquire, what shall the end of these things be. 
We are bold to affirm, however, that if there be one thing, above all 
other things, which is to redeem or raise the character of our state, 
that one thing is religion, pure and undefiled religion, brought to bear 
upon our citizens by means of religious institutions and well informed 
religious ministers. This, if any thing, will lead us to all those vir- 
tues which aggrandize a nation. There is not to be found among the 
maxims of political phylosophy, one more universally true than the 
saying of a Prophet, "There shall be, like priest like people." A juster 
measure of a nation's real greatness is not to be found, than in the 
character of her religious instructors. It has been well said, that when 
the Almighty pours out his richest blessing upon a people, he ** gives 
them pastors after his own heart who will feed them with knowledge 
and understanding," and when he is about to inflict his deadliest curse, 
he gives them " pastors who will cause them to err." In this view of 
the subject, I confess, that I feel deeply and fear greatly for our state, 
and anxiously desire that the most effectual measures be adopted to 
secure to the present and future generations the best and largest sup- 
ply of faithful and enlightened ministers. 

Let this be effected, and I entertain not the shadow of a doubt 
that in due time, the whole condition of our state, would show that 
nationally as well as individually, '^ Godliness is profitable for all 
things, for the life that now is, and for that which is to come," that 
" righteousness exalteth a nation, but that sin is the reproach of any 
people." 

Let us then ray hearers, do as the Christians of other states and 
other churches; let us fix upon our object, and zealously prosecute it. 
If we look over our land, or enlarge our view and take in all Christ- 
endom, we shall find numerous institutions which the pious and bene- 
volent cherish and support with holy zeal and liberality. In these they 
take a generous interest and delight, resolving that they shall never 
suffer for want of support. 

If instances be wanting, I might mention the institution at Andover, 
Massachusetts, which, besides thousands of smaller contributions, 
was richly endowed by a few pious and wealthy families with more 
than two hundred thousand dollars; and which is annually educating 
more than one hundred candidates for the ministry. 

I might mention our own institution in New-York, which inherited 
a legacy of more than sixty thousand dollars from one individual, 
and has received other donations sufficient to place it on a sure and 
permanent b-asis. 



15 

I might mention that of the diocese of Ohio, which from benevo- 
lent individuals in England, and all parts of America, has obtained 
funds to the amount of seventy or eighty thousand dollars. To come 
nearer home, I might mention the rich bequest of more than one 
hundred thousand dollars to the College at Lexington in this state, 
which was originally endowed by the father of his country, the great 
and good Washington. Lastly, I might mention the theological in- 
stitution at Hamden Sydney, endowed by the pious and liberal of our 
own and other states, with more than sixty thousand dollars. 

And^ why may not the members of our Church in the southern 
country have an institution which may interest the feelings, excite the 
Zi-al and draw to itself the charities of the pious and benevolent? 
Have we no wealthy and charitable individuals, who will take a holy 
delight in rearing up some institution to the glory of God and the 
good of man? Have we none who in looking forward to their depar- 
ture frofifi this world, and making such a disposal of their earthly 
goods as dying men should do, would rejoice to bestow a portion 
thereof so as to do good when they are at rest? Are such persons to 
be found in iill other countries and churches, and none in ours? Surely 
none can believe this. Human nature, the same in every age and in 
every clime, can be led into the same good deeds by the same induce- 
ments properly presented. 

Let us see then, brethren, that we are not in fault. Let us lay a 
solid foundation of a Seminary which shall inspire confidence, excite 
benevolence, draw the hearts of our people, and be a worthy object 
for the donations of the living and the bequests of the dying. Never 
let it be said, that when the wealthy and the pious of our Church, are 
anxious to make some return to God for his bounty, when warmed 
with pious gratitude and Christian love they wish to do good, they 
must look to some distant institution as the instrument of their cha- 
rity, having none at home worthy to receive it. 

I am bold to say, that such a time has already passed avvay, and 
that we have now an institution begun, which we can confidently place 
before our people, as presenting the strongest claims upon their charity 
and zeal. We have put our hands to the plough and mean not to turn 
back. A reproach has sometimes been cast upon our citizens, that we 
want perseverance; that though easily provoked to a good work, we 
soon let it languish on our hands. Let us wipe off the reproach, and 
as the Apostle said to tlie Corinthians, of their collections begun with 
sucii forwardness, "let us perform the doing of it." Let this institu- 
tion be regarded with lively interest by every minister and every 
congregation in our state; let the rich give of their abundance, freely; 
let those in moderate circumstances, by Christian economy and self- 
denial, save their moderate proportion; let the poor give their mites; let 
our pious females do what they are so well able and, generally, so 
willing to do; kt the dying remember ihis thing in their last will and 
testament; and we siiall raise and support rai institution which shall 
be a credit to our state, an honor to our Churcli, and a blessing to 
mankind. In what way can we bestow a portion of our goods so as to 
do more essential servicCj ihcin by co-operating with God in sending 



16 

fprth labourers into tliat large harvest of souls which calls so loudly 
for help. How can men hear whhout a preacher, iuid how can they 
preach except they be sent, and how beautiful are even the feet of 
them Mvko preach the glad tidings of salvation ! 

Let us sit down, and endeavour to make some estimate of the good 
which may be done, and which has been done in this way. We will 
state a fact which has occurred, and then suppose a case which has 
often been supposed and often realized. About forty years since, there 
died in this country, a pious man who had spent his life in the instruc- 
tion of youth and thereby accumulated a handsome fortune. Having 
no family, he left the greater part of his property, viz. fifteen thou- 
sand dollars to one of our Colleges, directing that the interest of the 
same should be used in the education of poor and pious youths for 
the ministry of the gospel. The will has been religiously observed, 
and some years since it was stated, that by its means, one hundred and 
fifty pious youths had been admitted into the service of the sanctuary. 
And who shall estimate the good which these preachers have done 
and shall do, the thousands and hundreds of thousands they have been, 
or will be, the instruments of converting, the hundreds and thou- 
sands of other pious youths whom they may bring into the service of 
God, and all the good they also may do j and who shall say how much 
of the happiness of this exalted saint may come from the knowledge 
of all this good, how rejoiced his angelic spirit may be in the society 
of those who Iiave been converted under a ministry of his own rais- 
ing, and who are now among the redeemed above ! 

Ah! who would not wish to go and do likewise! But many will say, 
how can we do thus ? How far above our means, this generous be- 
quest? Let me then suppose a case brought down to the level of some 
at least in this assembly. Let me suppose one to possess the sum of 
two thousand dollars, which he does not need, but desires to spend 
in useful charity. Let us suppose him to endow a scholarship in this 
institution with this sum. The interest of this would constantly sup- 
port an indigent student at our seminary. We may allow that in every 
four or five years a pious man would thus be introduced into the 
gospel ministry. Let us now extend our thoughts into the future, and 
consider the good which only one of those, thus educated, may, and 
in all probability will do. Should he be only moderately blessed in 
his ministry and live a moderate term of years, it is not extravagant 
to suppose, that he may be the instrument of salvation to some hun- 
dreds of his fellow sinners. Among these it is equally probable there 
will be some pious youths, who after his example, will devote them- 
selves to the ministry. The same blessing will, in due time attend 
their labours, and the hundreds of converts will soon grow into thou- 
sands, and the few pious candidates for the ministry multiply into a 
great company of preachers. Let only a few generations pass away, 
and let this blessed increase go on, and who can estimate the amount of 
good done by the appropriation of the sum we have specified, and 
who can describe the happiness of the generous soul that contemplates 
the good ! 



17 

But many will say, you still exclude us; the moderate contribution 
vvhich we can give yet falls far short of the specified sum. We do 
not exclude any, but invite the smallest as vrell as the largest contri- 
bution, and assure you that none will be lost. The smallest sum will 
have its due share in the great amount of good resulting from such 
an institution. The fund vvhich shall suffice for the annual education 
of one pious youth, whether the gift of one wealthy and generous 
man, or of ten or twenty men in more moderate circumstances, will 
produce the same moral and religious result to mankind. Let be- 
lievers revolve this subject in their minds, and bear it on their hearts 
before God, and view it in the light of that eternity which is at hand, 
and then let them decide what it is they should do. 

But in opposition to this and every other view which can be pre- 
sented, some will say, this is not the time, nor this the state, for such an 
enterprise. The depressed condition of our citizens forbids the hope 
of success and should prevent even the attempt. Were I not firmly 
persuaded, my hearers, that I am soliciting a charity which equally 
blesses him that gives and him that receives, that I am persuading to 
a work equally useful to yourselves and acceptable to God, I should 
indeed utterly faint at the thought of the difficulties before me. 

But, brethren, whatever else God has been pleased to take from 
us, he is still willing to leave us one thing, and that one thing worth 
all beside, but then we must show that we esteem it as such, by taking 
the proper means for retaining it. Nor is God a hard master, laying 
upon us more than he will make us able to bear, requiring for the 
support of religion more than he will enable us to give. Before any 
of us decide that it is not in our power to contribute to these institu- 
tions which are necessary to give due efficacy to Christianity, we must 
conscientiously enquire, not what has been taken from us, but what is 
still left to us, and the conditions on which we hold the remainder. 
Let us in the view of eternity estimate the comparative importance of 
religion and all other things on which we expend our property, and 
see what proportion we bestow on each. While doubting and fearing 
to give to any religious object, lest we or our families should be 
losers thereby, let us consider how it is that so many individuals and 
families are impoverished and brought to ruin. How is it, my hear- 
ers? Is it by supporting religion and endowing religious institutions? 
Ah ! my hearers, where are the men, where are the families that have 
been brought to poverty by such charity ? Nay, could I swell my 
voice to such a note as to be heard by every Christian and every in- 
habitant of our state, yea, of our land, might I not ask, where is the 
man, where is the family, thus impoverished and reduced to beggary 
and wretchedness? While thousands and tens of thousands have been 
ruined and brought to shame by wasteful prodigality, spendthrift hos- 
pitality, rash securltyships, vain display and vicious indulgences; 
where we ask, are they who are losers even in this world, for having 
spent a liberal propoition of their money in the promotion of piety? 
On the contrary, is not one reasoti of our impoverishment to be found 
in our scanty contributions to the support of God's best gift to man? 
Have the citizens of o^.r land brought their offerings to the Lord with 

3 



18 

"willing hearts and open hands? Have they herewith proved the Lord, 
to sec if he would not pour out a blessing upon us, so that there 
would not be room enough to hold it? How much do our citizens 
give of their earthly goods to secure that blessing which is worth 
all worlds to each one of us ! God's ancient people at his command, 
gave not less than a fourth of all their increase for that imperfect dis- 
pensation, " that beggarly element of sacred knowledge," which they 
enjoyed, and no people ever so prospered as they did, while they 
brought all their tythes into the storehouse. How much do our citi- 
zens give for Christianity, for " that which is perfect !" O that all 
would keep a book of account with Heaven ; one which they must pre- 
sent to the eye of God on the great day! Would not some be ashamed 
to show it even to their fellow mortals ? Would they not blush to 
see how trivial the sum expended on that which is the only hope of 
our fallen race? 

Or, are there those who have so egregiously mistaken the nature of 
salvation by grace as to suppose, that God needs not our poor pecuni- 
ary aids to promote his cause upon earth, and indeed, that in the most 
literal and unqualified sense, religion must be sustained without money 
and without price. Of one at least have I heard, who made it his boast, 
and vainly supposed that he magnified the grace of God thereby, that 
he had enjoyed the happiness of religion for very many years, and 
that it had in all that time cost him scarce so many pence. Perhaps 
my hearers, in the great settlement of accounts, it might appear that 
the religion of which he boasted was scarce worth the miserable 
pittance which it cost him. It may be that there was a fatal mistake. 
And it would be well for all of us who are living in the midst of 
means and ordinances, and enjoying all the blessings direct and in- 
direct, of our most glorious faith, to enquire what we are doing, 
and what we are giving, to promote its establishment upon earth and 
whether we esteem it the best gift of God to man. O, how can any 
hearers be willing to live in a Christian land and not give cheerfully 
and liberally for the gospel! And let me ask, does not that parsimo- 
nious spirit which so many manifest, throw them still further from 
grace ? " This much have I seen, said a venerable father, that the rich, 
who are liberal of their goods, get grace, while the covetous die in their 
sins." There is indeed something very heart-hardening in this covet- 
ousness. There is not a more wicked thing upon earth (says an Apos- 
tle) than a covetous man. He is one whom God abhorreth. But mis- 
take me not, my brethren and friends. Imagine not for a moment that 
I would even insinuate the thought, that " this gift of God could be 
purchased by money." To such a presumptuous proposal I would say, 
in the words of the indignant apostle, *' thy money perish with thee." 
And yet I will not fear boldly to maintain, that we may make to our- 
selves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, may so use our 
earthly possesions as to promote our spiritual and everlasting welfare, 
and yet not in the least interfere with that glorious truth, man's only 
hope, that salvation is "the free gift of God, through Jesus Christ 
our Lord." When we consider the good which may be done by the 



19 

right use of money; that it not merely feeds the hungry, clothes the 
naked, instructs the ignorant, makes the widow's heart to sing for joy, 
and dries up the orphan's tears, but in the hands of God, may be instru- 
mental to the conversion of immortal souls and the diffusion of the 
Redeemer's kingdom; we ought indeed to look upon it with a kind of 
veneration and sacred pleasure, to think of all the good it may do, 
and the happiness it may minister. But we should also rejoice with 
trembling at the thought of the account we have to give of it, and how 
we stand indebted to God and man for all the good it is capable of 
doing. This adds new and dreadful force to the already fearful 
words of our Lord, " how hardly shall they which have riches enter 
into the Kingdom of Heaven," seeing they have such an account to 
render, for " to whom much is given, from them shall much be re- 
quired." Therefore it is " that we must charge those who are rich in 
this world, that they be willing to communicate, glad to distribute, 
laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time 
to come," or else, woe be unto us for our cowardice and unfaithful- 
ness on that day when God shall say to them, " Go to, now, ye rich 
men, weep and howl, for your miseries that are come upon you, your 
garments are moth-eaten, your gold and silver is cankered, and the 
rust of them is witness against you."=*^ 

But not the rich only are required to give. As religion is the one 
thing needful, the pearl of great price to all, of equal and unspeaka- 
ble value to every human being, so must all, according to their ability 
promote its diffusion among men. In doing this, none of us need fear to 
suffer. God's promise is to the contrary. He is able to make all grace 
abound towards you, said the Apostle to the Corinthians, while urg- 
ing them to assist the poor saints at Jerusalem, and bidding them not 
to fear for themselves. It was cvidendy the grace of temporal blessings 
which was promised to the liberal, which would prevent their cruse 
of oil and handful of flour from failing them. Let us then, my beloved 
hearers, inherit this and every other blessing of a bounteous God to 
those who seek to please him. We are strangers and pilgrims on earth. 
We brought nothing into this world, and can carry nothing out of it, 
"What we have, while here, is loaned by the Almighty proprietor of 
all things, for our own use and the purposes of benevolence and piety. 
He permits, yea, commands us to spend what is not needful to our- 
selves, in acts of liberality. Let us rejoice so to do; ever inquiring, 
not how little will be accepted, but how much we can save from our 
own indulgence to spend on worthy objects. Then may it be said of 
us, as of one whose pleasure was in beneficence *' that as to Ipis pra- 
perty, he knew no good in it, but to do good with it.' 

James V- 3, 2, 3.-* 



AiPi?®sf2>a^. 



The sum of fifty thousand dollars judiciously expended, will an- 
swer to erect the buildings yet wanted, to pay for those already 
erected, and for the farm on which they are located, as well as to 
complete the fund whose interest shall yield a moderate support to 
two Professors. Twenty-five thousand dollars may be considered as 
sure; twenty-five thousand more must yet be raised. The author of 
the above discourse, will spend a few weeks more in soliciting con-* 
tributions from the friends of the Church in some of the parishes of 
Virginia, and then must rely upon his brethren here and elsewhere, 
to make an united and vigorous effort to accomplish the important 
work which God has thus far so signally blest. He has consented to 
the publication of the above discourse with all its imperfections, in 
the hope, that the facts contained in it, and the plain persuasives 
drawn from the word of God, may be of some assistance to his 
brethren and friends, in carrying on the work, which though happily 
begun, is yet far from being finished. Perhaps this discourse may 
fall into the hands of some of those persons who are yet attached in 
principle and feeling to our communion, but who from their location, 
are cut off from its ministry and ordinances; to such we would pre- 
sent our cause, begging them to look back to the past, and forward, 
to the future. It was the Church of their fathers; it has been their 
own; it maybe that of their children. Lend us then your aid to rear 
■up an institution which shall provide a supply of faithful and well 
informed ministers, to do the work which the Providence of God 
shall appoint us. Your contributions can be readily sent in, through 
some of the ministers or lay members of the Church, and shall be 
faithfully applied to the intended object. The contributions on our 
list have varied from one dollar, to one thousand. Some have given 
the full amount of their subscription at once; others to suit their con- 
venience, have chosen to pay it in several successive years. We trust, 
there are some also, who, unable to give, or able to give but little 
during life, are yet willing and desirous to give some portion of that 
which they cannot take away with them, to so excellent an institution 
as this. For the use of such, we subjoin the form of a bequest^ by 
which they may secure the fulfilment of their wishes. 



21 

Form of a berjuest to the Trustees of the Theological Seminari/ of 
the Episcopal Church in Virginia. 

" I GIVE to A. B. and C. D. the survivor of them, or 
executors, or administrators, of such survivor, (should such survivor 
die before this will takes effect,) for the 

Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Virginia, 
to be paid to the Trustees of such institution, and the receipt of said 
A. B. and C. D. the survivor or executor, or administrators of such 
survivor, shall be a sufficient discharge to my executor." And this 
legacy is to be paid by my executors, as above directed, whether the 
person to whom the payment as above directed is to be made shall 
be under any legal obligation to apply it as above described or not; 
it being my intention, that no kindred or other legatee, of mine 
shall take or be entitled to, directly or indirectly, any interest or trust 
in the said legacy, and the same shall at all events be paid as directed, 
30 that if tlie person who may receive it, shall not voluntarily apply 
it to the use of the said Theological Seminary, and cannot in law be 
compelled so to apply it, he shall take to his own use, the benefit of the 
3aid legacy. 



The folloxving report of the Trustees of the Seminary^ will exhibit 
to all its friends, its present condition, and the need in which it 
stands of their continued exertions in order to place it on a sure 
and permanent basis, 

Report of the Board of Trustees of the Theological Seminary of 
Virginia to the Convention, held in Petersburg, May 15, 1828. 

It will be remembered, that at the last convention, the trustees 
obtained leave to locate the seminary in the neighbourhood of Alex- 
andria, should it be found practicable. In order to ascertain this, a 
committee was appointed, with full powers to select an eligible site, to 
erect the necessary buildings, and to raise the funds for defraying the 
expenses of the same. The committee accordingly repaired to Alex- 
andria in the month of June, and after some time spent in surveying 
the different situations which were offered, made a selection of one, 
which on account of the healthiness of its atmosphere, the beauty of its 
prospect, and iis many conveniences has given universal satisfaciion to 



22 

the professors, students, friends and visitors of our seminary. The lot 
of land which was purchased, contained about sixty-two acres, the half 
of which was cleared, well enclosed and covered with grass. The 
remainder is in young timber, which will soon yield no inconside- 
rable allowance of fuel. The buildings upon it consisted of a new brick 
dwelling house, with all necessary out buildings for the comfort of a 
family. A well enclosed garden and promising young orchard were also 
among the improvements of the place. The cost of the establishment 
was five thousand dollars. This we were enabled to pay at once, by 
the assistance of our treasurer, Mr. John Gray, who kindly advanced 
the whole, relying for the return of it upon the collections to be after- 
wards made. It was now necessary to erect, without delay, a suitable 
edifice for the reception of the students, and of such person or persons 
as should be employed to attend to their temporal comforts. Accord- 
ingly a brick house, of three stories, containing 12 rooms, besides a 
basement story affording a dining room, kitchen and closets, was im- 
mediately erected, the cost of which has exceeded three thousand 
dollars. This we were enabled to discharge by a loan from the Edu- 
cation Society of two thousand dollars, and a further advance from 
our treasurer and ever ready friend, Mr. John Gray. To relieve our- 
selves from the obligations thus incurred, a new subscription was com- 
menced, which, by the united exertions of the friends of the seminary, 
hfts already reached the amount of the debt which was contracted, 
being somewhat more than eight thousand dollars. As this, however, 
is payable in annual instalments of two, three and four years, and the 
interest of the money advanced is still increasing the debt, it is plain 
that the present subscriptions will not suffice to discharge the same 
with the interest accruing. Other buildings are also necessary to com- 
plete the establishment. Another house, for the residence of one of 
the professors, who is at present living at an inconvenient distance, is 
very desirable, and a most convenient situation presents itself on the 
seminary farm. So soon as our means will justify the measure, it 
will be also desirable to have a building for the purposes to which the 
basement story is now devoted, but for which it is by no means suffi- 
cient. In the same building might be a lecture room and library, for 
which the private apartments of our present edifice are now made to 
answer. These additional buildings will, of course, require a large 
increase of our funds, nor shall we venture to proceed, until assured 
that the contributions of our friends will justify the undertaking. 

It becomes us also to make a further statement of our pecuniary 
concerns, that the members and friends of the church may not be 
mistaken as to our condition, and relax their exertions or withhold 
their charities, on the supposition that our need is not so great as it 
really is. Towards the endowment of two professorships, each re- 
quiring not less than fifteen thousand dollars, we have, as yet, only 
realised the sum of ten thousand seven hundred and thirty-four dol- 
lars and forty-two cents. It is true that the unremitting exertions of 
the Female Auxiliary Education Societies have thus far enabled us to 
have the services of two professors, besides receiving all the poor and 
pious youths who have applied for admission into the Seminary. But 



23 

still we cannot consider any institution on a sure and permanent basis, 
without a fund, whose interest will suffice for the support of ihose offi- 
cers who are indispensible to its good government, and therefore we 
can never be satisfied until we have realized the needful sum. 

In order to raise this amount as soon as practicable, the Trustees 
at their present meeting, have appointed the Rev. Mr. Cobbs, the Rev. 
Mr. E. McGuire, the Rev. Mr. Ducachet, and the Rev. Dr. Meade 
to solicit contributions in the State of Virginia, the latter of whom 
will enter upon this duty immediately after the convention, and devote 
two or three months to the same. 

The Trustees considering also how much other portions of our 
country are likely to be benefited by the successful operation of our 
Seminary, and that it is most reasonable that those portions should 
render us their aid in its establishment, have requested the Rev. Mr. 
Jackson of Alexandria, the Rev. Mr. Mann, the Rev. Mr. Tyng, the 
Rev. Mr. Johns, and the Rev. Mr. Henshaw, of Maryland, the Rev. 
Mr. Bedell, of Pennsylvania, and the Rev. Mr. Mcllvaine of New 
York, to lend us their aid in soliciting contributions, wherever their 
judgment or convenience may lead them. 

Having presented this exposition of the funds, the location and the 
buildings of our infant institution, we now proceed to state the pleas- 
ing accomplishment of those hopes which encouraged us to choose its 
present location. We have realized that freedom from the many inter- 
ruptions inseparable from a town, which formed a strong inducement to 
its removal. Every incentive to close application and to the exercises of 
piety, is furnished to the young candidate for the ministry. On the 
Sabbath they either walk into Alexandria and attend the public services 
of the Churches, or remain at the Seminary, where for their benefit 
and the benefit of many families around, the service of the Church is 
read and a sermon delivered by one of the Professors. On the even- 
ing of the sabbath and on other evenings of the week, they are often 
piously and profitably engaged in visiting the families in the neigh- 
bourhood, praying with them, reading the word of God, and exhort- 
ing them to holiness. It deserves also to be mentioned, that they evince 
a laudable zeal in attending to the instruction of the children in the 
several Sunday Schools, which they have established in Alexandria and 
at the Seminary. While thus engaged in these exercises which fit them 
for the practical duties on which they are soon to enter, we have the 
assurance of the Professors, that they have not been inattentive to those 
literary and theological studies which are necessary to qualify them 
for the defence of the faith. During the past season, seventeen students 
have been under the care of the Professors, though only fourteen are to 
be considered as properly members of the Seminary, the remaining three 
being engaged in preparatory studies which will qualify them to enter 
at some future period. It will be most encouraging indeed to the friends 
of our institution to behold six of these youths, who have been for a 
greater or less period of time nurtured in our Seminary, presented on 
the ensuing Sabbath to the Bishop of the diocese, and after receiving 
from him the proper authority, proceeding forth to the glorious work 
of preaching the everlasting gospel. The Trustees will only add that 



£4 • \ 



t"heir hopes and expectations as to the expenses of living have beei^ 
more than realized. From the experience of the present year, they 
are justified in saying, that the sum of seventy-five dollars is amply 
sufficient for the board of each student, during the period of the nine 
months, which constitutes the Seminary term. 

In concluding their report, the Trurtees have to record the heavy 
loss sustained by the board in the death of the lamented Dr. Wilmer. 
In this, as in every other department of usefulness, he had ever dis- 
played a judgment, zeal and activity, seldom to be found united in 
one individual. The emblems of mourning, which now designate the 
members of this convention, evince the high esteem in which his ser- 
vices were held by the whole Church. 



Since the above report was drawn up, about eight thousand dollars 
more have been added lo our subscriptions; four thousand of which 
have been collected ; the remainder being due in one, two. three and 
more annual payments. 

What has been already funded, what has been lately collected and 
is yet due, will amount to about half the sum which is necessary for 
the establishment of the Seminary on a small, but respectable founda- 
tion. The building will contain, with convenience, about twenty-four 
students, when other apartments arc prepared for those uses to whic!« 
a portion of the Seminary edifice is now applied. 

Richmond, June ST, 1828. 



ERIiATJl. 



Several typograpliical errors occui-red \\\ the Iiasle of publishing the first shee^- 
vhich are here corrected. 
Page 3, line 13th, for commiini/iate, read communicate. 
20th, erase tlit: word, i'ogethcr. 
9th from bottom, read, predestinated. 
Page 4, 13th from bottom ; read, dared to die. 

Page 5, 18th, read, the greatest abundance. 

11th from bottom, for <?ncreased and encreaslng, read, increased anc 
increasing. 
Page 6, 12tli from bottom, for disting/^shing, read, distingwzshing. 

Page 7, 7th, for assylums, read, asyhims. 

26tli, for cncreasing, read, increasing. 



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